A. italicum generally has a chromosome count of 2n = 84, except that a few subspecies (such as subsp. albispathum) have 2n = 56.[10]
Taxonomy
Within the genus, A. italicum belongs to subgenus Arum, section Arum.[10]
Arum italicum may hybridize with Arum maculatum.[11] The status of two subspecies currently included in Arum italicum, subsp. albispathum (Crimea to the Caucasus) and subsp. canariense (Macaronesia), is uncertain and they may represent independent species.[12]
Distribution and habitat
This section needs expansion with: habitat details. You can help by adding to it. (October 2024)
Arum italicum nativity by subspecies is as follows:[1]
A. italicum subsp. italicum is native to Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, France, Greece, Iraq, Italy, Kriti, Krym, Morocco, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkey-in-Europe, and Yugoslavia.
A. italicum subsp. albispathum is native to Krym, North Caucasus, Transcaucasus, and Turkey.
A. italicum subsp. canariense is native to Azores, Canary Islands, and Madeira.
A. italicum subsp. neglectum is native to Algeria, France, Great Britain, Morocco, and Spain.
Subspecies italicum has a multi-continental introduced presence, including in northeast Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, north New Zealand, and the U.S. states of Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New York, and North Carolina.[1]
Invasive species
Arum italicum can be invasive in some areas, particularly in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.[13][14][15] It is very difficult to control once established. Herbicides kill the foliage of the plant, but may not affect the tuber. Manual control may spread the plants through the dissemination of soil contaminated with bulb and root fragments.[16]
Toxicity
Leaves, fruits and rhizomes contain compounds that make them poisonous. Notably, the plants are rich in oxalates. The ingestion of the plant may be fatal, as it affects the kidneys, digestive tract, and brain.[17]
Cultivation
It is cultivated as an ornamental plant for traditional and woodlandshade gardens.[2]Subspeciesitalicum (the one normally grown in horticulture) has distinctive pale veins on the leaves, whilst subspecies neglectum (known as late cuckoo pint[18]) has faint pale veins, and the leaves may have dark spots.[19] Nonetheless, intermediates between these two subspecies also occur, and their distinctiveness has been questioned.[12][20] Some gardeners use this arum to underplant with Hosta, as they produce foliage sequentially: when the Hosta withers away, the arum replaces it in early winter, maintaining ground-cover.[13] Numerous cultivars have been developed for garden use, of which A. italicum subsp. italicum 'Marmoratum' has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[21]
^P.A. Stroh; T. A. Humphrey; R.J. Burkmar; O.L. Pescott; D.B. Roy; K.J. Walker (eds.). "Arum italicum Mill". BSBI Online Plant Atlas 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
^Govaerts, R. & Frodin, D.G. (2002). World Checklist and Bibliography of Araceae (and Acoraceae): 1-560. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
^Castroviejo, S. & al. (eds.) (2008). Flora Iberica 18: 1-420. Real Jardín Botánico, CSIC, Madrid.
^Dobignard, D. & Chatelain, C. (2010). Index synonymique de la flore d'Afrique du nord 1: 1-455. Éditions des conservatoire et jardin botaniques, Genève.
^Meeuse, B.J.D. 1975. Films of liquid crystals as an aid in pollination studies. In Pollination and Dispersal, ed N.B.M. Brantjes, H.F. Linskens, pp 19-20. Nijmegen. The Netherlands: Dep. Botany, Univ. Nijmegen.
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